Here is Chapter 4 4 for reconnection! This wasn't as long as I had planned originally but I wanted to get the next chapter out, There is definitely more to come. Hope you enjoy!

Please read and review

Lowenstein was overly frustrated when she walked into her apartment that evening. She glanced down at the clock and growled in annoyance. 5:59, she had planned to leave the hospital around 4, so that she would have time to shower and order something in for dinner, but she had been needed by patients all the way up to the 5 o'clock hour and because of late afternoon traffic it had taken her nearly an hour to get home. She disrobed as quickly as she could and got into the shower, the water was scalding hot, but she didn't care. She washed her hair and body quickly, emerging from the shower a mere 10 minutes after she had entered the bathroom. She picked out a short flowing pastel dress to wear and gold earrings. She dressed quickly, and looked in the mirror. She looked a sharp contrast to her normal business wear, and smiled to herself. Just as she was putting on her second ear ring, she heard a key in the door, she walked into the living room her sandaled heels clicking lightly on the tile floor. the door opened revealing her son, Bernard.

"Hey Ma." He called walking in the door, and then noticed her standing a few feet in front of him. "Oh hey," He said "I didn't mean to scare you when I came in."

She shook her head "Oh don't worry about it. How was your day at work, is that student you told me about last week, doing any better with football try outs?"

He set his jacket down on the end table close to the door. and fluffed his hair slightly. "Oh a little better. Teaching is always a work in progress." She smiled lightly and nodded her head "Hey you expecting someone?"

"Why do you ask that?" She asked suddenly self conscious.

"It seemed like you were waiting for someone when I came in and your all dressed up." He laughed a little "Wait a minute, you have a date or something?"

She laughed "A date? No. It's not a date at all, it's just...a um...old friend of mine is in town and I asked him to come over for dinner."

he gave her a sideways glance. "Him? Who is this old friend."

She walked into the kitchen and picked up some glasses from inside the cupboard. "You want something to drink?"

Bernard exhaled and came around the island taking the cups out of her hands. "No ma, I don't want anything to drink." He put the glasses on the counter top behind her "Your nervous and avoiding questions. You never act that way." He stopped for a moment, and glanced down "Is it dad? Because if it is, I don't think..."

"No sweetie it isn't your dad." she took a deep breath. "It's Tom Wingo."

"Tom Wingo?" Bernard asked an element of questioning surprise in his voice, she knew how important Tom had been to Bernard and the part he had played in his interest in becoming a teacher, but she was also keenly aware of the fact that Bernard was not aware of the relationship that had transpired between her and him and feared that if he found out it might change his view point, so she turned from his eyes and began filling the glasses from a bottle of white wine that was resting on the counter.

"Yes, he uh. Had to come into town for his sister and I thought he might like to come over and have dinner, catch up."

"Makes sense." He said a touch of wariness still playing in his voice.

"Well." He said picking up one of the wine glasses and taking a few sips, "I should get going, I just wanted to stop by and see how you are."

He pulled away from the island and started for the door, She ran to catch up, and grasped his arm lightly. "No, no, no." She began "You don't have to leave, stay, have dinner with us, I'm sure Tom would love to see you."

Bernard gave a light smile and gripped her shoulders, also noticed her shaking fingers though he could tell she was trying to hid it. "Look Ma, I'm not sure what is going on here."

She took a deep breath as if to begin explaining. But Bernard held up his hand. "And I don't need to know." He finished. "But what ever it is, I can tell you are having feelings, strong ones, and you need to explore those..."He paused "alone."

He then walked over to the door and opened it, but she still clung onto him slightly.

"Bernard I." Her voice was soft

"I know ma," He said gently. "Call me if you need me, I'll be home all night. If you need me give me a call."

He finished his sentence and pushed the down button on the elevator. Just then the doors opened revealing Tom Wingo holding a bouquet of red roses.